Algae, Hydrogen Peroxide and clear water.

gsjmia

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Couple of months ago, I went off of a PH controller and stopped overdosing with Excel at the same time (bad idea).

Even though I was still getting a PH drop from 7.28 to 6.0, I started getting bad hair algae and then mild BBA.

I tried manual removal, increased Co2, Excel dosing, and it seemed to get worse. Hair was mostly on erios, but would break off and get everywhere.

I have a 46 gal, with pressurized Co2, sump and light is 45-55 par at substrate for 9 hours per day. Vortech M10 was at about 7 inches from substrate and was running at 40% speed. Cardinals, Oto's and red cherry shrimp. I pulled the hair off twice a week and the BBA was a million little BB sized things all over the substrate, even in the shaded areas. I used a gravel vac to get them.

I saw a long thread on another forum describing how to treat algae with hydrogen peroxide and decided to try/experiment.

I turned off the sump and then dosed at 1 ml a gal for 30 minutes, twice a week for 2 weeks. I then increased to 2ml per gallon. H. peroxide dosing was then followed by 60% WC. After several "treatments" I discovered if I moved the Vortech up a couple of inches, I could run it a 100% (during the 30 min) without it grabbing air or sucking up the substrate. It was like a whirlpool, but the fish and plants were all ok-the fish hunkered down in a corner. After the WC, Vortech went back to 40%.

At 1 ml once a week:
  • the algae didn't die, but the hair algae did diminish quite a bit, but only to come back in a couple of days like nothing happened.
  • No fish or shrimp deaths during or after, but they seemed agitated during treatment.
  • But, I noticed the water was remarkably clear that day and stayed that way for the rest of the week,

At 2 ml 2X a week:
  • Very slight (but not a big deal) improvement for hair algae.
  • Most non-adult shrimp died. Adult shrimp mostly ok, but really agitated.
  • Fish hid in the back in a tight school, but seemed to be none the worse.
  • Water was also real clear.

Hair agea was affected the most (nice die back), but no affect whatsoever on the existing BBA, although it seems that new BBA didn't appear.

It finally cleared up,whether from the H. peroxide, more frequent water changes, the really good cleaning from the Vortex or it just found its way back to being in balance, I don't know.

As many have said, H. peroxide is dangerous and I don't think I will dose to control algae again unless its a disaster.

However, I love the crystal clear water, which is from one (or maybe both) of two things:

H. peroxide or Vortech?

At 1ml, there was no harm to anything and it really made the water crystal clear and I intend to keep going with it when the water needs it. But I am not sure if it was the H. peroxide or the Vortech stirring things up--I remember that the water was so clear after the first 1ml dose, but I don't think I turned to Vortech up that time, I am pretty sure it was later.

Obviously the Vortech is stirring up all the sediment so the filter or siphon can grab it, but I can't discount that the first 1 ml. attempt where the water got really clear without the Vortech being turned up.

Anybody have any thoughts or experience on their water clarity and H. peroxide? Maybe it oxidizes the little things floating in the water?

Having said all that, I just saw this video from Dave at Guitarfish, its a different way to use HP, does this work?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geFDaOhCphA
 

BenFishin

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I noticed my plecos stirring up stuff sitting on the substrate at one point. I'd say if you get rid of that stuff lying around, there is less to be stirred up by fish or what have you, and give you less clarity. I have used H P for algae quite a few times. I would say it is safer than excel but that is hearsay for me. I have used both and I had no problems with it affecting fish (long term affects of over exposure may be bad for fish). I have used his method and it worked well for me. Especially on things protruding from water during a water change, driftwood, plumbing, heaters and such. Clear water? Maybe a bit but I was more concerned with algae at that point. I'm thinking more towards the vortex or the increased water changes. I'll give it a try and let you know if it helps my clarity.

If we want to test its affects, we need to add it and do nothing else.

Is there a tool to measure clarity? Or are we going on opinion?

What are its affects on ph?
 
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dutchy

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Hydrogen peroxide improves water clarity and also drops pH. In the past I got rid of hair algae with it at 1 ml daily for a week. For BBA you can use it as spot treatment"

But you're trying to fix the consequence, not the cause.

Best is to reduce light intensity, do a big cleanup as good as you can and stay on top of it.
 

gsjmia

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Thanks Dutchy. The cause seems to have went away, but I was curious about my observation of the clarity of the water being affected-which you answered.

So, the next question is should a 1ml dose per week just before WC be part of the normal housekeeping to keep the water crystal clear?
 

dutchy

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I'd never use hydrogen peroxide as a way to keep water clear. It might affect plants and/ or fish in the long term. If you wNt clear water, use activated carbon or a micron flter.